Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Power Stations

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of their reported plans to subsidise power stations which provide guaranteed emergency electricity supply when needed on winter weekday evenings, what estimate they have made of the length of time it will take coal and nuclear power stations to reach guaranteed output capacity; and how much notice these power stations will be given of the additional demand.

lord prior of brampton: Where capacity margins narrow beyond a pre-determined threshold, automated Capacity Market Notices are issued to the market providing 4 hours advance notice that additional capacity may be required.Before bidding into the Capacity Market, participants must ensure they would be able to meet all the obligations that would fall to them in the event of successfully securing a Capacity Market agreement. Failure to fulfil these obligations during a stress event would result in clear and pre-determined penalties.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Eritrea: Human Rights

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they and neighbouring states are making in stemming the exodus of people from Eritrea; and what plans they have to secure the release of the reported large numbers of persons imprisoned for religious reasons.

baroness anelay of st johns: There has been a reduction in the number of Eritrean nationals seeking asylum in the UK. Between January-September 2016, the number was 796, a 68% decline in applications compared with the same period in 2015 when the figure was 2807. There has also been a fall of about 50% in the number of Eritreans arriving in Italy.Tackling illegal migration to the EU from the Horn of Africa is a priority. The UK is engaging on this bilaterally, and in collaboration with international partners within the frameworks of the Khartoum Process and the EU Trust Fund. In addition, the UK is working to address the underlying causes of migration from Eritrea, including by supporting projects to promote professional development and employment opportunities to young Eritreans, and a programme to enhance judicial capacity and promote the rule of law.Within Eritrea, only four traditional religious organisations (Orthodox Christian, Sunni Muslim, Catholic, and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea) have official approval to operate. We are aware of reports that a number of individuals from non-sanctioned religions remain in detention, including 54 Jehovah's Witnesses, although reliable information is very difficult to obtain. Details of their detention have not been publicly released by the Eritrean government. Our Ambassador and EU counterparts have called for the release of all prisoners detained for religious beliefs or, as a minimum, that they are brought before a court for public hearing and fair trial, allowing them to defend themselves against any charge. We continue to press the government of Eritrea for specific details of their detention and health status.

Israel: USA

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions the Prime Minister had during her recent meeting with President Trump regarding the proposed US embassy move to Jerusalem.

baroness anelay of st johns: The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) and President Trump discussed a range of foreign policy issues during their meeting on 27 January. The UK's position on the location of our embassy has not changed.

Sudan: Sanctions

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 23 January (HL Deb, col 425) concerning recent developments in Sudan, and in the light of the reported statement by the Sudanese Ambassador to London, Muhammad Abdallah al-Tom, to the Sudanese Media Centre of the impact of the lifting of US economic sanctions on Sudan on Sudanese–British economic and commercial relations, what assessment they have made of the impact of the lifting of US economic sanctions on Sudan on business relations between Sudan and the UK.

baroness anelay of st johns: The UK welcomes the recent decisions made by the previous US Administration on Sudan related sanctions. The UK will consider opportunities to promote trade with Sudan; however, the business environment remains an obstacle to a sizeable increase in interest from British companies. We continue to urge the government of Sudan to make progress on these issues and on a cessation of hostilities in the Two Areas and Darfur and humanitarian access, which would enable the lifting of sanctions to become permanent.

Sudan: Sanctions

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 23 January (HL Deb, col 425) concerning recent developments in Sudan, and in the light of the indictment of the leaders of Sudan by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity, including the use of chemical weapons and assaults on the civilian population, whether they are planning the removal of any sanctions against Sudan or the promotion of bilateral business interests.

baroness anelay of st johns: ​We welcome the US decision to lift their bilateral sanctions on Sudan. The UK will continue to support the UN targeted sanctions relating to Darfur, as well as the EU arms embargo that remains in place across Sudan. In line with our policy of phased engagement, the UK will consider opportunities to promote trade with Sudan, as well as other areas of mutual interest, such as migration and countering violent extremism.

North Korea: Forced Labour

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether staff of the British Embassy in Pyongyang have visited the Masikryong ski resort in an official capacity; and what is their assessment of reports that children are subject to forced labour at that resort.

baroness anelay of st johns: Officials from the British Embassy in Pyongyang have visited the Masikryong ski resort for consular planning purposes. We are aware of reports since of child forced labour at the resort, which are deeply concerning. The UK Government has been clear that forced labour is a form of modern day slavery and must be brought to an end. In a statement to the UN Security Council on 9 December 2016, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's use of forced labour at home and overseas.

Israel: USA

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Prime Minister raised the issue of the location of the US Embassy in Israel with the government of the US during her visit to Washington on 25 to 26 January.

baroness anelay of st johns: The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) and President Trump discussed a range of foreign policy issues during their meeting on 27 January. The UK's position on the location of our embassy has not changed.

Syria: Politics and Government

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the evidence given by the Foreign Secretary to the International Relations Committee, when Foreign Office policy towards Syria changed (1) to allow for the possibility that President Bashar al-Assad could stand in a future election in Syria, and (2) to consider the possibility of an arrangement with Russia to combat Daesh and find a way forward over the future of Syria.

baroness anelay of st johns: The UK's long-standing position is that there can be no sustainable peace in Syria while Asad remains in power. That remains our position. Syria needs a transition to a new, inclusive, non-sectarian government to achieve the credible political settlement that will bring long-term stability. This is set out in the Geneva Communiqué and endorsed by UN Security Council 2254. Any electoral process should be supervised by the United Nations and comprise all 11 million displaced Syrians, including those who have fled to other countries.The UK and Russia face a shared threat from terrorism in Syria and we both want to see the defeat of Daesh. We engage with Russia on wider Syria issues. When we believe that Russian actions are prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people, we will make clear our concerns.

USA: British Nationals Abroad

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether British nationals applying for new ESTAs for travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program will be subject to additional checks and requirements, including the disclosure of social media information and mobile phone contacts.

baroness anelay of st johns: No - although the United States, like all sovereign nations, reserves the right to conduct border controls.

USA: Immigration Controls

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they were first made aware of the measures contained in the executive order Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry To The United States, signed by President Trump on 27 January.

baroness anelay of st johns: As the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) said during Prime Minister's Questions on 1 February, we were not given advance notice of the Executive Order before it was signed on 27 January.

Gambia: Commonwealth

lord luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will support the application of The Gambia to rejoin the Commonwealth.

baroness anelay of st johns: ​The UK welcomes President Barrow's declaration of his intention to rejoin the Commonwealth. The UK encourages President Barrow to begin the process as soon as possible and looks forward to working with his administration.

Nagorno Karabakh

baroness o'cathain: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of responsibility for the massacre perpetrated against civilians in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly on 26 February 1992.

baroness anelay of st johns: In the absence of an independent investigation into the incidents that took place during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the UK has never made an assessment of responsibility.We strongly support the work of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group, and support any mechanism for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute which is acceptable to the parties.

Attorney General

Domestic Violence: Prosecutions

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of cases in which the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS's) decisions not to initiate prosecutions in cases of domestic violence have been successfully challenged, whether they will commission an inquiry into the policy and practice of the CPS in relation to that issue.

lord keen of elie: Victims of domestic abuse can challenge a CPS decision not to prosecute their case, under the Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme. In 2015-16, the CPS made 41,503 decisions in domestic abuse cases. 520 of these cases were appealed through the VRR scheme; 49 of which were upheld. Of the total number of domestic abuse decisions, the upheld rate was 0.12%. Of the number of domestic abuse VRR appeals, the upheld rate was 9.4%. An inquiry is not required because these volumes and proportions are small and the CPS is, in the majority of domestic abuse cases, accurate in its decision making.

Department for International Development

Syria: Humanitarian Aid

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the $12 billion pledged in February 2016 at the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference has so far been paid; and when they expect the full payment to be made.

lord bates: At the 2016 Supporting Syria and the Region Conference, donors pledged $6 billion grants for 2016 and a further $6.1 billion for 2017-2020. The Department for International Development has set up a tracking mechanism that reports on the delivery of all the financial commitments made at the Conference.The most recent tracking report was published on 6 February 2017. It shows that of the $6 billion grants pledged for 2016, donors have spent $6.2 billion. We expect donors to fully spend their 2017-20 pledges by 2020 and continue to work with other London Conference co-hosts to urge donors to mobilise financial support to the crisis.

Developing Countries: Abortion

baroness kinnock of holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of the US following President Trump's reinstatement of the global gag rule; and what assessment they have made of the effect of this on the work of the Department for International Development and British development aid organisations working with women seeking assistance with, or advice on, abortion.

lord bates: The full implications of the reinstated and expanded Mexico City policy are not yet clear but we are closely following developments. DFID will consider the implications with our offices, with UK civil society and with donors.

Palestinians: Syria

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to the 560,000 Palestinian refugees who have been displaced by the crisis in Syria.

lord bates: The UK supports Palestinian refugees affected by the Syria crisis through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This includes those who have fled to Jordan and Lebanon, as well as those displaced inside Syria. As part of DFID’s Syria Crisis Response, we have provided £79.8 million to UNRWA’s Syria Regional Emergency Appeals. In 2015 DFID’s funding to UNRWA provided food assistance every 3 months to over 67,000 people inside Syria, and over 4,000 in neighbouring countries. Our support also facilitated over 150,000 visits to primary health care services inside Syria, and more than 15,000 visits in Jordan and Lebanon. UNRWA continues to meet immediate needs through a range of programmes, including the delivery of essential relief items such as blankets, clothing, and cooking equipment.

Libya: Prisons

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will press for UN and other humanitarian agencies to be given full access to prisons and detention centres in Libya, starting with those holding refugees and migrants in Tripoli.

lord bates: The UK remains deeply concerned at alleged human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Libya, including against prisoners and migrant detainees. We recognise that conditions in Libyan detention facilities are poor and we are providing humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees through the UN and other humanitarian agencies.We are building relationships with Libyan Government departments, including law enforcement and immigration authorities, through regular visits to Tripoli. During these visits, we raise with the Government of National Accord the importance of adhering to international law and standards. We will continue to press for safe access for humanitarian agents.

Burma: Rohingya

baroness kinnock of holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 30 January (HL4720), how many Rohingya people are (1) receiving no assistance as a result of restrictions on humanitarian assistance and access, and (2) receiving partial assistance; and, for those receiving partial assistance, what they are receiving and what they are not able to receive.

lord bates: Government authorities have not permitted humanitarian needs assessments for Rohingya people across all of the areas affected by security operations. We are, therefore, not in a position to provide an accurate answer to the question.

Burma: Rohingya

baroness kinnock of holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of deaths, illness and malnutrition in camps for the Rohingya in Rakhine State, Burma, as a result of restrictions on access to humanitarian assistance.

lord bates: There have been no significant restrictions on providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya in camps in Rakhine State. These are outside the area affected by security operations since October 2016. Malnutrition rates in camps remain poor by international standards, with 8.6% of people suffering acute malnutrition according to the most recent survey. This is comparable to other areas in Burma. Mortality data is not systematically collected by international agencies providing support to the camps.

Greece: Refugees

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of UK aid to refugees in Greece is earmarked for sexual and reproductive health, including access to hospital maternity services.

lord bates: DFID funding supports improved access to health care for refugees in Greece, according to need. We do not earmark funding for particular health services. Our support provides access to sexual and reproductive health services, including maternity services such as medical services for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Greece: Refugees

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will support the procurement of essential sexual and reproductive health commodities, including modern family planning methods, for all refugees in Greece.

lord bates: DFID supports access to sexual and reproductive health services for refugees in Greece. This includes provision of essential commodities, including family planning methods.

Greece: Asylum

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they are giving to unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors in Greece.

lord bates: DFID supports safe accommodation spaces for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors in Greece where children benefit from essential support. To date, we have supported more than 500 spaces.

Greece: Refugees

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they give financial or other support to the Faros project in Greece which provides accommodation for young refugee boys who are at risk of sexual exploitation.

lord bates: The UK provides funding for safe spaces for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors in Greece. This includes support to the Faros-run shelter in Athens.

Developing Countries: Health Services

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will increase funding for abortion, contraception, and reproductive health information and services, in the light of the re-establishment of the global gag rule by President Trump.

lord bates: The full implications of the reinstated and expanded Mexico City policy are not yet clear but we are closely following developments. DFID will consider the implications with our offices, with UK civil society and with donors.

Palestinians: Employment

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they, the EU and other international agencies are taking steps to increase the employment opportunities available for young Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza; and what assessment they have made of the benefits of introducing a system of loans for small and new businesses.

lord bates: Job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) is a priority for the UK and other donors. The Palestinian Market Development Programme (PMDP), a joint UK-EU programme, is improving the competitiveness of the Palestinian private sector and helping to create jobs for young people. The system of loans for small and new businesses in the OPTs is comprehensive and well resourced, hence the focus of UK efforts is to provide matching grants and technical assistance to Palestinian businesses

Ministry of Justice

Young Offenders: Travellers

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider targeted education and vocational skills interventions for Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children in youth custody in the light of the Traveller Movement’s finding in Overlooked and Overrepresented: Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children in the youth justice system that 55 per cent of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children in Secure Training Centres had learnt skills for jobs they would like to do in the future.

lord keen of elie: We want all children in custody to be fully occupied in education and training throughout the day with a core curriculum focussed on preparing them for employment, an apprenticeship or continued education when they are resettled back into their communities. As part of our reforms we will ensure governors have increased flexibility to work with providers to decide how education is best delivered to meet the different needs of the young people in their establishments.

Youth Justice: Ethnic Groups

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have consulted, or had representations from, the National Police Chiefs’ Council on the merits of updating the ethnicity data collection used in the youth justice system to include the 2011 Census ethnic group classifications.

lord keen of elie: Following a letter received from the National Police Chief’s Council lead for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller issues, in December we responded by acknowledging their interest and to confirm that the Youth Justice Board (YJB) are keen in principle to move to the 18+1 ethnicity monitoring system from the 2011 Census. The YJB is examining the requirements and dependencies with existing IT systems and identifying the feasibility and indicative costs of moving to the revised classification system.

Divorce

lord pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to review the fault-based divorce system.

lord keen of elie: The government is committed to improving the family justice system so separating couples can achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their families. Whilst we have no current plans to change the existing law on divorce, we are considering what further reforms to the family justice system may be needed.

Family Proceedings

lord pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to put in place a legislative procedure to enable individuals who are not parties in family law cases to have access to information that mentions them by name.

lord keen of elie: Individuals who are not parties in family law cases may apply to the court for disclosure of information that mentions them by name. Disclosure of such information is at the court’s discretion.

Ministry of Defence

Defence Equipment: Procurement

lord west of spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the latest Ministry of Defence annual equipment plan has left the £5.8 billion contingency funding untouched.

earl howe: The Ministry of Defence Equipment Plan 2016-26 includes contingency funding of £5.25 billion. This is in addition to specific risk provision within individual project budgets of approximately £11 billion. Due to project costings regularly being updated the total amount of contingency is variable. I am withholding information relating to the use of contingency funds as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. We judge the contingency sufficient to deal with cost growth within the equipment plan and broader risks that may emerge.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Wines: Labelling

lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether sampling of Spanish and French wine has been increased in the light of allegations that cheap Spanish wine is being labelled as French wine.

lord gardiner of kimble: Wine sampling is conducted by Her Majesty’s Government on a random and risk-led basis. It therefore remains fully adaptable to respond to actual and perceived risks faced by the wine sector and consumers.

Home Office

Refugees: Children

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 25 January (HL Deb, cols 665–6) what support they have given to Europol in determining the fate of the 10,000 refugee children whom Europol reported in January as having gone missing.

baroness williams of trafford: The UK has committed significant resources to helping the EU deal with the migration crisis, including seconding staff to Europol. The UK government recognises the vital role Europol has to play in coordinating law enforcement activity against migration related criminality. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Immigration Enforcement second staff to Europol to work on these issues specifically, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC). The UK continues to encourage international partners to share relevant information with Europol, supporting the EMSC's aim of strengthening support for EU Member States through enhanced intelligence exchange. In addition to the support we give to Europol, the Government has established a £10 million Refugee Children Fund for Europe to support the needs of vulnerable refugee and migrant children arriving in Europe. The UK is the largest bilateral contributor to the humanitarian response to the crisis in Europe and the Balkans with a total allocation of £70 million.

Immigration: EU Nationals

lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what process a permanent resident right of an EU citizen living in the United Kingdom, that has been accepted by the issue of a Certificate of Residence in the UK, can be lawfully removed.

baroness williams of trafford: Under EU law, European Economic Area (EEA) nationals qualify for a right of permanent residence in the UK provided that certain conditions are met. For those EEA nationals who are in the UK and have a right of permanent residence, it is not mandatory to apply for documentation confirming that right. EEA nationals with a permanent right of residence may be deported from the UK on serious grounds of public policy or public security, where their personal conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to one of the fundamental interests of society.

HM Treasury

Food: Taxation

lord brooke of alverthorpe: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to include, within the recently announced review of VAT, a consideration of the levels of customs and excise duties applied to those drinks and foods which research suggests are most responsible for avoidable deaths and chronic illnesses; and whether they have any plans to introduce a hypothecated tax for the NHS.

baroness neville-rolfe: The terms of reference for the Office of Tax Simplification’s current VAT General Simplification Review are on gov.uk. While the Government keeps all taxes under review, a fixed proportion of each class of NICs receipts (from employees, the self-employed and employers) is allocated directly to the NHS; this adds up to about 20% of NICs receipts. The rest of NHS funding comes from general taxation.

Housing: Sales

lord macpherson of earl's court: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many residential property transactions over £1.5 million there were, and how much Stamp Duty Land Tax revenue those transactions generated, in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, (3) 2015, and (4) 2016.

baroness neville-rolfe: Historical statistics on residential property transactions and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) receipts, by financial year, are published in HMRC's 'Annual Stamp Tax Statistics' publication, available on Gov.uk. The latest available data is for the financial year 2015-16. The statistics in the table below are aggregates from the publication and do not include residential properties taxed at the ‘corporate bodies’ rate.Financial yearProperty transactions over £1.5 million (thousands)SDLT revenue from these transactions (£ million)2012-1361,0252013-1481,3252014-1591,5802015-1691,855

Tobacco: Smuggling

lord palmer: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish the results of the HMRC consultation Tobacco Illicit Trade Protocol on sanctions to tackle the illicit tobacco market.

baroness neville-rolfe: HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) consultation ‘Tobacco Illicit Trade Protocol – licensing of equipment and the supply chain’ sought views on two aspects of the Protocol. These were the mandatory licensing of tobacco manufacturing machinery and the potential licensing of participants in the supply chain of tobacco products for the purposes of tackling the illict trade. A response document on the licensing of tobacco manufacturing machinery was published on 5 December 2016 and draft legislation was published at the same time. Licensing of the supply chain is more complex and could affect a large number of UK businesses. Therefore, while HMRC is in a position to proceed to implementation of the licensing of machinery, supply chain licensing requires further consideration. A response document covering this aspect of the consultation will be published later in the year.

Department for Exiting the European Union

European Medicines Agency

lord balfe: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of paragraph 8.42 of the White Paper The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union, whether they intend to negotiate with the EU Commission for the European Medicines Agency to remain located in the UK.

lord bridges of headley: No decisions have been taken about the location of the European Medicines Agency. The Government will discuss with the EU and Member States how best to continue cooperation in the field of medicines regulation in the interests of both the UK and the EU. It would not be appropriate to pre-judge the outcome of the negotiations.

European Court of Justice

lord stoddart of swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government at what stage of the process of leaving the EU they expect the European Court of Justice to cease to have any jurisdiction in the UK.

lord bridges of headley: The Prime Minister has been clear that we will take back control of our laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the United Kingdom.Leaving the European Union will mean that our laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.And those laws will be interpreted by judges not in Luxembourg but in courts across this country.The Government wants to have reached a broad agreement about our future partnership, including the nature of dispute resolution mechanisms, by the time the two-year Article 50 process has concluded.